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Video & Articles: Appliance & Equipment RepairKitchenAid Refrigerator Defrost Heater Replacement WP12729128 
KitchenAid Refrigerator Defrost Heater Replacement WP12729128
Skill Level
Total Parts Cost
$80.94Estimated Savings
$112.5011:17
- Description
This video provides step-by-step repair instructions for replacing the defrost heater on a KitchenAid Refrigerator (Model KRFF507HPS02). The most common reason for replacing this part is if the evaporator is freezing over.
All of the information for this video is applicable to the following brands: KitchenAid
All of the information for this video is applicable to the following brands: KitchenAid
Step By Step Instructions
1
To replace the defrost heater in this kitchenaid refrigerator, you will need a flat-head screwdriver, a small flat-head screwdriver, a quarter-inch nut driver, a magnetized quarter-inch nut driver, and needle-nose pliers.
2
Before you begin the procedure, unplug the appliance’s power cord.
3
Open the freezer drawer, and use the small flat-head screwdriver to pry the left slide rail tab away from the liner enough to release the drawer stop.
4
Do the same to release the right drawer stop.
5
With the stops out, you can fully remove the upper drawer.
6
Next, use the quarter-inch nut driver to loosen the two screws securing the drawer front.
7
Lift the drawer front off the drawer glides and set it aside.
8
You can now lift the lower drawer up and squeeze the sides in to release it from the glides.
9
Use the flat-head screwdriver to help pry apart the retainer clip so you can slide it to the left.
10
You can now lift the shaft up and out.
11
Using the flat-head screwdriver, depress the three retaining tabs inward to release the freezer outlet duct.
12
Depress the retaining tab to release the temperature sensor cover from the panel.
13
Detach the sensor from the cover.
14
Using the quarter-inch nut driver, unthread the four screws securing the evaporator access panel.
15
Set the access panel aside.
16
Detach the two grounding clips from the evaporator.
17
Using the magnetized quarter-inch nut driver, unthread the two screws securing the evaporator assembly to the rear liner.
18
With the screws unthreaded, carefully pull the assembly forward and detach the drain trough.
19
Disconnect the two defrost heater wire connecters.
20
Use the needle-nose pliers to detach the two wire retainers from the evaporator frame and remove the grommets.
21
Detach the two lower retaining wires, and you can pull the old defrost heater free.
22
To install the new defrost heater, position it on the evaporator.
23
Secure it with the two retaining wires.
24
Reposition the grommets, and snap the wire retainers into place.
25
Connect the two defrost heater wire connecters.
26
Realign the drain trough.
27
Reposition the evaporator, and thread the two screws to secure.
28
Attach the two grounding clips to the evaporator housing.
29
Partially reposition the access panel, making sure the sensor wire is seated in the upper left notch.
30
Fully position the panel and rethread the four screws to secure.
31
Snap the sensor into place in the cover, then align and snap the cover into place on the access panel.
32
Realign the outelt duct on the panel and snap it into place.
33
Confirm the shaft retainer clip is on the shaft.
34
With the glides pushed all the way in, insert the left end of the shaft into the left side gear.
35
Position the right end of the shaft in the right-side gear and snap the retainer clip into place to secure.
36
Reinstall the drawer by aligning it on the glides, making sure the rear hooks are secured under the glide, then set the drawer in place.
37
Reposition the drawer front on the glides, and tighten the screws.
38
Reinstall the upper freezer drawer by, aligning the rear rollers on the track and the front rollers on the lower drawer then push the drawer in.
39
Snap both drawer stops into place to secure.
40
Plug the power cord back in, and the refrigerator should be ready for use.
Description
This video provides step-by-step repair instructions for replacing the defrost heater on a KitchenAid Refrigerator (Model KRFF507HPS02). The most common reason for replacing this part is if the evaporator is freezing over.
All of the information for this video is applicable to the following brands: KitchenAid
All of the information for this video is applicable to the following brands: KitchenAid
Step-By-Step Instructions
1
To replace the defrost heater in this kitchenaid refrigerator, you will need a flat-head screwdriver, a small flat-head screwdriver, a quarter-inch nut driver, a magnetized quarter-inch nut driver, and needle-nose pliers.
2
Before you begin the procedure, unplug the appliance’s power cord.
3
Open the freezer drawer, and use the small flat-head screwdriver to pry the left slide rail tab away from the liner enough to release the drawer stop.
4
Do the same to release the right drawer stop.
5
With the stops out, you can fully remove the upper drawer.
6
Next, use the quarter-inch nut driver to loosen the two screws securing the drawer front.
7
Lift the drawer front off the drawer glides and set it aside.
8
You can now lift the lower drawer up and squeeze the sides in to release it from the glides.
9
Use the flat-head screwdriver to help pry apart the retainer clip so you can slide it to the left.
10
You can now lift the shaft up and out.
11
Using the flat-head screwdriver, depress the three retaining tabs inward to release the freezer outlet duct.
12
Depress the retaining tab to release the temperature sensor cover from the panel.
13
Detach the sensor from the cover.
14
Using the quarter-inch nut driver, unthread the four screws securing the evaporator access panel.
15
Set the access panel aside.
16
Detach the two grounding clips from the evaporator.
17
Using the magnetized quarter-inch nut driver, unthread the two screws securing the evaporator assembly to the rear liner.
18
With the screws unthreaded, carefully pull the assembly forward and detach the drain trough.
19
Disconnect the two defrost heater wire connecters.
20
Use the needle-nose pliers to detach the two wire retainers from the evaporator frame and remove the grommets.
21
Detach the two lower retaining wires, and you can pull the old defrost heater free.
22
To install the new defrost heater, position it on the evaporator.
23
Secure it with the two retaining wires.
24
Reposition the grommets, and snap the wire retainers into place.
25
Connect the two defrost heater wire connecters.
26
Realign the drain trough.
27
Reposition the evaporator, and thread the two screws to secure.
28
Attach the two grounding clips to the evaporator housing.
29
Partially reposition the access panel, making sure the sensor wire is seated in the upper left notch.
30
Fully position the panel and rethread the four screws to secure.
31
Snap the sensor into place in the cover, then align and snap the cover into place on the access panel.
32
Realign the outelt duct on the panel and snap it into place.
33
Confirm the shaft retainer clip is on the shaft.
34
With the glides pushed all the way in, insert the left end of the shaft into the left side gear.
35
Position the right end of the shaft in the right-side gear and snap the retainer clip into place to secure.
36
Reinstall the drawer by aligning it on the glides, making sure the rear hooks are secured under the glide, then set the drawer in place.
37
Reposition the drawer front on the glides, and tighten the screws.
38
Reinstall the upper freezer drawer by, aligning the rear rollers on the track and the front rollers on the lower drawer then push the drawer in.
39
Snap both drawer stops into place to secure.
40
Plug the power cord back in, and the refrigerator should be ready for use.
Applicable Product Model
Parts Needed
Defrost Heater Assembly
$80.94
Recommended Tools and Accessories
Defrost Thermostat
$59.47
Total$0.00
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